VP Osinbajo - Corruption is not an ethnic battle

Press statement from the presidency

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN has declared that nobody has a right to pocket public money stating that corruption by its very nature is antithetical and inimical to the development of any nation. Prof. Osinbajo noted that everyone needs to uphold the virtues of truth and justice if the country must make progress in the anti-corruption campaign emphasizing that people should not give the anti-corruption fight any ethnic coloration in order to escape punishment.

He explained that ‘’when there is a fight against corruption, it is not an ethnic fight; it is not an ethnic battle. People can come up with all sorts of things and say it is selective. People say the reason why a man is being tried for corruption is because he is a Yoruba man, or he is from the North or from the South. We should not encourage this kind of ideas.’’ The Vice President disclosed this on Thursday, 27th August 2015 evening when he received in his office the delegation of the Yoruba Traditional Council in the Northern States and Abuja led by the Chairman, His Royal Highness, Ambassador Mohammed Arigbabuwo. Prof. Osinbajo observed that there is no country in the world that has become great through corruption noting that as a matter of fact ‘’the history of the world shows that corruption has ruined many empires.’’

‘’When those empires attain greatness and they begin to allow corruption, then they collapse’’, the Vice President noted. Stating the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to the fight corruption, Prof. Osinbajo said ‘’ President Muhammadu Buhari has committed this current government to a pathway of integrity. ‘’For the first time, I think in a very long time, the President is saying that this country can only move forward if we show ourselves as men and women of integrity’’, he noted.

The Vice President therefore sought the support of the traditional rulers in the crusade against corruption emphasizing that Nigerian cultures abhor corruption. While commending the representatives of the Yoruba communities from the Northern states for living peacefully with their hosts in their various communities, he implored them to imbibe the attributes of ‘‘Omoluabi’’ which he explains represents the positive virtues of forthrightness and integrity. [Omoluabi means a forthright, loyal and respectful person] He declared that ‘’ I think you have demonstrated clearly by living in the north, living in Abuja and making your home and businesses here, that you believe in this country.

That shows you believe in the unity of this country and I think that is very commendable.’’ In his own address at the occasion, the Chairman of the Yoruba Traditional Council in the Northern States and Abuja, who led the delegation commended the vision and philosophy behind the Change Agenda of the Buhari administration. While declaring the total support of his Council to the anti-corruption crusade, Ambassador Arigbabuwo acknowledged that the much desired change is already being felt.

‘’In the last three months, you will agree that many things have started taking positive shape for the people of this country such as constant electricity which has helped greatly to stabilize small scale and medium scale industries.’’

Laolu Akande Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President (Media &Publicity)